Our Summer Vacation

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2005-2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

This was putting a whole different twist on things. I would need to talk with Ed about this revelation and see what he thought about it. I didn’t see him having a problem with Alex and Joel but I was concerned for Joel when the trip was over and I knew Ed would be likewise for Alex.

I decided to talk with him after they boys went to the teen club. I know we would have several hours alone so we could discuss this matter and try to figure out how best to resolve it without seeing the boys get hurt.

Chapter 8

I gave the boys a kiss on the head then went to take a quick shower before dinner while they got dressed. I put on a pair of tan slacks and a light blue pull over shirt with my loafers and was ready to go to dinner. We met Ed, Adam and Jerry then went down to the dining room.

The theme for the evening was Hawaiian and the staff all had brightly floral pattern shirts and there was music by Don Ho playing in the background. They brought around pupu platters and the boys weren’t sure what to make of the different things at first. Joel was never one to pass up something new so he picked something up and soon the platter was empty.

They brought around pork and beef on huge metal rods and they carved it tableside. We picked out the veggies and potatoes we wanted then all dug in. The meal was great and plentiful. The waiters brought out several kinds of deserts and they all looked great so I decided to indulge and have some of everything. I think that last piece of chocolate cake I had was a little to much so the boys helped me waddle back to the cabin.

When we got back to the cabin I had to sit on the couch and let my dinner digest before I could think about doing anything else. Joel looked at me and said, “Dad, may Alex and I go see if Kyle wants to go to the teen club tonight?”

I thought that was a nice idea that he remembered on his own so I said, “Sure son. If you want, you guys can come back here until it opens. Things start around nine, correct?”

“Yes it does,” Alex said.

“That’s great Dad,” Joel said heading for the door. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

They took off for Kyle’s cabin while I sat wishing I hadn’t had that last piece of cake. Man was I really overstuffed.

Out in the hall, Joel and Alex were holding hands waiting for the elevator when some older kid said, “Aww, isn’t that cute. Hold onto little brother’s hand so he won’t get lost.”

Joel let go of Alex’s hand then turned to look at the voice. Joel pushed him against the wall and said, “Why don’t you just get a fucking life. So WHAT if I hold his hand. If that’s what he wants, what difference is it of yours anyway.”

The kid just stood there with his eyes wide open then said, “I, I did didn’t m mean any anything b buy it.”

“Then just keep you mouth closed and your fucking comments to yourself,” Joel said. “Do I make myself clear?”

The kid was ready to wet himself then said, “Ye Yeah, I g got it.”

The boys got into the elevator and continued down to the main deck to go to Kyle’s cabin. In the elevator Alex said, “Man babe, I thought you were going to flatten him.”

Joel looked at him and said, “I think if he’d have said another word I might have. I hate jerks like him. I don’t like fighting but I’m not going to let someone walk all over my friends or me. I’m sorry you had to see that love.”

“It’s OK babe,” Alex said smiling at Joel. “It’s nice to know you’re there for me.”

They got to Kyle’s cabin and knocked on the door. Kyle answered it and said, “Mom, Dad, Joel and Alex are here. What’s up guys?”

“Hey Kyle,” Alex said. “Wanna go to the teen club with us tonight?”

“Sounds like fun,” Kyle said. “Hey Mom, can I go to the teen club with Alex and Joel?”

Mrs. Reston came to the door and said, “Why don’t you boys come inside so Kyle doesn’t have to shout?”

“Thank you ma’am,” Joel said. “We’re going to go back to our cabin for a little while until the club opens then we will all head down there. It opens at nine and closes at eleven thirty. My Dad is in the cabin resting and he said Kyle can come back with us.”

Mrs. Reston kissed Kyle then said, “That’s fine boys. Can you have him back at the cabin about midnight?”

“Yes ma’am,” Alex said. “If there should be a problem my Dad will call and talk with you.”

“Alright,” she said. “Have a good time son.”

“Thanks guys,” Kyle said as they walked down the corridor. “It was getting boring in there at night.”

“Man why didn’t you find us during the day time?” Joel said as they got to the elevator.

“Well,” Kyle said looking at the carpet. “I didn’t want to intrude or be a bother.”

“Aww man,” Alex said patting him on the back. “You wouldn’t have been a bother.”

“Yes I would have,” Kyle said. “You guys are all close and.”

Kyle’s eyes started tearing when he was talking. Joel looked at him and said, “And what Kyle? You can tell us.”

Alex said, “Yeah man, we’re your friends. You can tell us anything.”

The elevator stopped at the Sky Deck and they got out and went into the cabin. When they all got inside Kyle said, “Well, you remember that day that you helped me out?”

“Yeah,” Joel said. “We were all glad to do it too.”

Kyle continued saying, “That day my cousin caught me jacking off and I had my fingers in my butt so he thought I liked things in it so he decided he was gonna shove his dick in me.”

Joel looked at him and said, “One thing has nothing to do with the other. Kyle, can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Kyle said.

“Are you or might you be gay?” Joel asked looking right at him.

“I know your Dad would hate me if he found out but yeah I am.”

I was stretched out on the sofa when Kyle said that so I said, “That’s not true son. I don’t hate anyone whether they might be gay or not.”

Joel looked at him then said, “That’s right Kyle. I know first hand because I’m gay and this is my boyfriend.”

“Really?” Kyle asked surprisingly.

I sat up and said, “That’s right son. Have you told your parents son?”

“Yes sir,” Kyle said. “They’ve known for almost a year now. They didn’t like what my cousin tried to do and my father told his sister off when she had to pay to have him sent home. My Mom was worried about what she would think but my Dad said he didn’t care because I’m more important than he was. I just wish I had a boyfriend.”

Joel looked at him and said, “That takes time Kyle. I lost my first boyfriend to leukemia and I thought I would never find another but I did.”

Kyle was about to speak when Adam and Jerry came in holding hands. Jerry looked at Kyle and said, “Hey dude, what’s happening?”

Kyle looked at them holding hands and said, “Joel are they?”

“Boyfriends?” he said looking at them. “Yeah, it sorta looks that way.”

Adam smiled and said, “Yeah, we’re boyfriends. You gay dude?”

Kyle could finally relax and say, “Yeah and I sure wish I had what you guys have.”

Jerry was about to speak when Joel said, “You know, I think I might be able to have you meet someone but I don’t know if you guys will like each other or not.”

“What are you thinking son,” I asked looking at my boy.

“Well Dad,” Joel started saying. “Remember Roger. That kid we met playing table tennis?”

“Yeah,” I said. “What about him?”

“He told me in confidence he’s gay but his parents don’t know because they’re both very homophobic and he would like to have someone as a friend here on the cruise.”

“Do you think that is fair son?” I said. “I mean suppose they do hit it off then they have to go their separate ways?”

That statement hit Joel a little hard and he said, “Yeah, I know Dad.”

I got up and put my arms around him and Kyle said, “I take it you two live in different towns?”

“Yeah,” Alex said. “We live in St. Petersburg and Joel lives in New York.”

“Oh,” Kyle said. “I am really sorry guys that has to hurt. Is this Roger guy a little older than you Jerry?”

“Yeah,” Jerry said.

“I’ve seen him around and he looks hot,” Kyle said.

“He’s cute,” Joel said. “But I think you might be a little young for him. He’s 16 but you’re just 11.”

“Almost 12,” Kyle said.

“Look you guys,” I said. “If you should hit it off, just don’t go and jump into things.”

“I promise sir,” Kyle said.

It was getting close to nine when there was a knock on the door. Jerry opened it and there stood Stacy and Tammy. The girls came in when Stacy said, “Ummm, who’s the cutie?”

“Girls, this is Kyle,” Joel said. “He’s family too.”

“Cool,” Tammy said. “This is my girlfriend Stacy and I’m Tammy. Nice to meet you Kyle.”

The seven teens left and headed for the teen club then I said, “Hey Adam, is your grandfather awake?”

“Yeah Pop,” Adam said. “He’s awake.”

“OK,” I said. “Thanks.”

They all left and I waited a few minutes before I went over to their cabin. Stacy looked at Kyle and said, “Hey Kyle, I didn’t mean to embarrass you before. I do think you’re real cute.”

“Thanks,” Kyle said. “I kinda thought you might be hitting on me or something.”

“Now that I know you’re family I will,” she said jokingly. “But that’s just to keep the wrong people away.”

He giggled then said, “I guess having a gay girl hit on me is ok.”

“Don’t worry Kyle,” Stacy said. “We’ll look out for you too.”

The teens headed into the club and found a table so they could sit together. Back upstairs I decided to go over and talk with Ed about the dilemma we were going to be facing. I knocked on the door then went inside. Ed was sitting on the sofa and I went and joined him. I looked at him and said, “What’s going on?”

“Not much Mark,” he said looking like he was deep in thought.

“You look like you’re deep in thought,” I said. “Anything I can do?”

“I don’t know,” he said trying to put things in order in his head. “I think we’re going to have a problem soon and I really don’t know how to handle it.”

“Ahhh,” I said. “You’ve noticed it too, huh?”

“You’d have to be blind not to,” Ed said looking at me.

“Yeah,” I said smiling. “I got the whole story from them before dinner so that’s why I came over.”

“The whole story?” Ed said. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” I started. “Maybe the whole story wasn’t the right phrase but they did say they were growing closer every day. Joel told me that he always want to be with Alex and Alex said just about the same thing.”

“What are we going to do?” Ed said.

“Well, there are a couple of ideas,” I said thinking out loud.

“OK,” Ed said. “Let’s hear them.

“Well first,” I said. “We can extend our vacation some. Joel doesn’t start school until just before Labor Day.”

Ed looked at me and said, “That’s just a temporary fix.”

“Yeah I know,” I said. “Another idea is to maybe move to St. Petersburg. I’m getting tired of all the cold weather in New York and I’m more than fed up with the city traffic and other assorted headaches.”

“Now that idea does have possibilities,” Ed said smiling. “How quick could you sell your place there?”

“Not sure,” I said looking at him. “I don’t know where to buy in your area either.”

“Buying might not be a problem,” Ed said.

“Huh,” I said totally lost. “Not a problem? Why not?”

“Well,” Ed said smiling. “I don’t know if I told you but I have a huge place. There are five bedrooms and that’s not counting what Adam and Jerry have claimed for their suite, or should I say their playground.”

“Am I hearing this right?” I asked. “You would let Joel and I move in with you and the boys?”

“Well not unless you guys would rather have your own place,” he said

“That sounds great Ed,” I said. “But we just can’t move in and live there totally free.”

“Why not,” Ed said. “The house is paid for and I have more than enough money to run the place even if you got your own house.

“But still Ed,” I said, “There’s a lot more to consider.”

“Ok,” Ed said, “Like what?”

“The first thing,” I said. “Is putting the house up on the market. The next thing is my furniture. A lot of it is only a couple of years old.”

“That’s no problem,” Ed said. “I’ve been needing some new furniture in the living room for a while now so some of what you have will help me. What’s the next problem you see?”

“It’s just more than the living room furniture,” I said looking at him. “The furniture in Joel’s room I know he’s going to want to keep. The queen size bed he has is very special to him along with a lot of the other bedroom furnishings. Joel will need to go through much of that himself to see what he wants to keep.”

“That’s no problem,” Ed said. “Alex’s room is small and it could never handle that queen size bed. The room next to it is twice that size and they could have that room. I’m sure him and Alex might want look at that together so he can go. Hell, he’s been with you since he came on board so I know he’s in good hands Mark.”

“All right,” Ed said. “The furniture problem is solved. “What’s next?”

“Well,” I said. “Putting it up for sale then being there for showings and stuff.”

“No problem,” Ed said. “First off Mark, you don’t need to be there to show it. That’s what they have agents for. You go there and sign the papers to sell it. Next, you call in the movers and have them bring everything you want to keep with you. What you don’t want to keep you can give away to a charity and let them sell it. Then you will have to go back for the closing but that’s really no big deal. Any other problems?”

I thought it over and came to the conclusion that Ed had really thought of everything. I liked the idea that I was finally getting out of New York with its cold winters. I was truly fed up with the traffic nightmares and the other associated headaches. I could be a retired person and watch my son grow up without the worries. I tried to think of anything else but I couldn’t so I said, “I guess not Ed. It seems you’ve solved the problems I thought I had. When do you think we should tell them about these plans?”

“Ummm,” Ed said. “I was thinking when we get to San Diego.”

“You do realize that that could get me in hot water with Joel. He will know I wasn’t planning on moving after we got home from vacation.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Ed said. “They’ll be too busy jumping up and down hugging each other that Joel will have forgotten about that.”

We talked for a few more minutes then I went back over to my cabin. I sat on the couch and thought about what I had just done. I made a move that would be better and easier on me while making Joel a very happy boy.

Down in the teen center the place was really jumping. Everyone was dancing except Kyle. Finally after seeing him sit all by himself Tammy grabbed his hand and led him to the dance floor. They were playing a slow song and they were dancing together like they were a couple. After the song was over the boys all took turns dancing with the boy. Joel and Jerry were sitting at the table relaxing when Roger came over. He looked at the boys and said, “Do you think that guy will dance with me?”

Joel looked at him and said, “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him that yourself.”

Roger hung around until the song was over. He and Alex came back when Jerry said, “Kyle, this is Roger. There is something he would like to ask you.”

“Kyle,” Roger started off softly speaking. “Do you think you would like to dance with me?”

Kyle smiled and said, “Sure Roger.”

The dancing continues a little while longer then the karaoke began. All the teens were having a great time singing and dancing when Stacy said, “Hey Alex, are you ready to do this?”

He took a deep breath then said, “Sure Stacy, lets do it.”

They went up and searched the music for the song they wanted and after a couple of minutes they found what they were looking for. Stacy gave the DJ the number then took the microphone and said, “All right people listen up. We’re going to do a special song what is good to dance to or if you know the words you can sing them to that someone special. During this song we’re probably going to be looking at someone special to us and singing to them so just be warned. All right guy, let he rip.”

Everyone get real quiet as the music started then they sang, Don’t Know Much.

Look at this face
I know the years are showin’
Look at this life
I still don’t know where it’s goin’

I don’t know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know

Look at these eyes
They never seen what mattered
Look at these dreams
So beaten and so battered, hooi­oohi­

I don’t know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know

So many questions
Still left unanswered
So much
I’ve never broken through

And when I feel you near me
Sometimes I see so clearly
The only truth I’ve ever known
Is me and you

Look at this man
So blessed with inspiration
Look at this soul
Still searching for salvation

I don’t know much
But I know I love you
And that may be
All I need to know

I don’t know much
But I know I love you
That may be
All I need to know

I don’t know much
But I know I love you
That may be
All there is to know, whoai­ohi­ohi­ohi­ahi­

The place erupted with applause while Joel and Tammy came up and hugged their partners. They stayed until it closed then the eight teens started heading back to their cabins. Roger and Kyle walked close to each other and talked so no one could hear them. Joel looked at them and said, “I told his Mom I would have him back to his room by midnight. If you guys want to talk some that’s cool but just don’t be late or we will all be in trouble.

Kyle looked at us and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be there on time. Thanks guys for a great time. Alex, Stacy you guys are great. Roger and I were dancing while you were singing. Nite guys, I’ll see you later.”

We were getting tired ourselves so we went to our rooms for some much needed sleep.

To be continued...

Posted: 06/27/08